Trip Tip - Ještěd: Encounter with an Alien and a Beautiful View 🌲
A trip to Ještěd — the iconic TV tower and hotel above Liberec that looks like a space rocket. Parking tricks, a stunning view of the landscape, and a mysterious Little Martian waiting for you at the summit.
Our next trip was to one of the most famous places in our country — Ještěd above Liberec. You’ve surely seen it in photos: that striking building that looks like a space rocket or an upside-down funnel.
Don’t Be Fooled by the Parking Signs
Driving up from Liberec, we kept seeing various signs claiming that this or that was the “last car park.” Don’t fall for it — those signs are quite misleading. We kept driving further and further because our sat nav showed we could get all the way to the top, but that wasn’t true.
Suddenly a no-entry sign appeared ahead of us, with an additional notice that only vehicles with hotel permission were allowed beyond that point — the hotel being at the very summit of Ještěd. So we parked, along with many others behind us, at the actual last car park just below Ještěd (called Ještědka). It’s the last point you can reach before the final no-entry zone. 🚗
The car park is quite large (there was plenty of space). A full day’s parking costs 200 CZK, and when we were there, card payments weren’t accepted. So definitely bring cash. 🅿️
The Walk Up and a View Worth Every Step
From the car park we made our way up on foot — no rush, we walked at a really leisurely pace and the walk took us about 25 minutes.
The higher we climbed, the more the air changed, and I suddenly felt as though I could almost reach out and touch the clouds. The views across the landscape were simply beautiful. 🌲
Inside there’s a restaurant where you can also find the toilets, and outside there’s a refreshment stall. We warmed up with a hot cup of tea, because the wind up there was quite something. 🫖
A Unique Building with a Story
Ještěd is not just any old hill. The peculiar structure at the top — nearly 100 metres tall — is a unique combined TV transmitter and hotel. It was built in the 1960s and 70s to a design by architect Karel Hubáček and is today a national cultural monument.
Its perfectly aerodynamic shape is no accident — it was designed to withstand precisely the kind of powerful winds we experienced up there firsthand. 🌪️
The Little Martian Who Got Lost
Just by the transmitter, a curious bronze sculpture sits on the rocks. It looks like a small child from Mars — or simply an alien. It’s officially called “Little Martian” (by sculptor Jaroslav Róna) and is a sweet, slightly melancholy little figure sitting on the ground and crying. From what I found out, it’s crying because it has apparently got lost.
Personally, I think I’d like the sculpture more if the Little Martian were smiling. But it does add an even stranger and more intriguing atmosphere to this already “cosmic” summit.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. It’s a place everyone should see at least once. Personally, one visit was enough for me — I’m not especially drawn to go back — but if you haven’t been yet, it’s definitely worth making the trip. 🙂
Ještěd — the view, the tower and the Little Martian
Have you been to Ještěd? 🙂
Good to know
Can you drive all the way up Ještěd?
No. Only cars with a hotel permit are allowed right to the top. The “last car park” signs on the way from Liberec are rather misleading. The real last one is the Ještědka car park just below the summit, and beyond it driving is prohibited.
How much does parking cost below Ještěd?
At the Ještědka car park we paid 200 CZK (about €8) for the day. You couldn’t pay by card at the time, so bring cash. The car park is quite big and there was plenty of space.
How long does it take to walk from the car park to the top of Ještěd?
About 25 minutes uphill at a slow pace.
Is there a restaurant and a toilet on Ještěd?
Yes, there is a restaurant inside where you can also use the toilet, and a snack stand outside. We had a hot tea to warm up.
What is there to see on Ještěd?
A unique building that is a TV transmitter and a hotel in one, just under 100 metres tall, designed by the architect Karel Hubáček. It is a national cultural monument. And on top of that, a beautiful view over the countryside.
Where is the Little Martian statue on Ještěd?
A short walk from the transmitter, on a rock. The bronze statue by Jaroslav Róna shows a little alien sitting on the ground and crying, supposedly because he got lost.
Is it windy on Ještěd?
It is properly windy at the top, so bring something warm. Because of the strong wind, the transmitter has an aerodynamic shape.
Can you hike up Ještěd with children?
Yes, children can manage the climb from the car park too. The children who came with us made it all the way up.
How much time should you plan for Ještěd?
We spent about an hour there, including the tea to warm up.
